Missouri ready for annual motorcycle event

This weekend, thousands upon thousands of motorcycles, riders and spectators will converge for the fourth annual Choppers4Children (C4C) event.

Todd G. Higdon

This weekend, thousands upon thousands of motorcycles, riders and spectators will converge for the fourth annual Choppers4Children (C4C) event.

The rally, which starts Friday and runs through Sunday, will be held on the grounds of Construction Adventures, one mile south of I-44 on Missouri Highway 43. Combined with hundreds of motorcycles throughout from the area on display, there will be music, vendors, bike games and other events.

Admission is $20 for all weekend for those 13 and older. It costs the same whether you come one day or all three. Those under 12 are admitted free. Those coming in will receive a wristband that allows one to come and go. The admission price includes the concerts and shows. Food and drink and vendors/souvenirs are at an additional charge.

And the proceeds go to a worthy cause.

“The main purpose for C4C even being in existence is to raise money for sick and injured children in our area,” said Kathy Watson, co-organizer of C4C. “That is the only reason we did and the only reason that it exists.”

Since 2005, C4C has held a bike and music rally that attracts thousands of bikers and bike enthusiasts from all over the country. In 2005, the rally raised $41,493 and in 2006, the rally raised $42,454 for CMN. But last year, was the topper. C4C presented a check to CMN for $75,000. The first two years, the rally was held on the historic Neosho Square. Last year, it was moved to its new location.

For a complete list of events, visit the C4C Web site at www.choppers4children.com.
But here is a sneak peak at what is going on.

“We are having Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot,” C4C co-organizer Scott Watson said in a previous interview. “They almost don’t need any introduction. They are pretty well known.”

Molly Hatchet is an American Southern rock band formed in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1974.
They are widely known for their hit song, “Flirtin’ with Disaster.”

Blackfoot is also a southern rock band also from Jacksonville, Fla., and formed in 1972.
They were contemporaries of Lynyrd Skynyrd. They had a number of hits in the 1970s and early 1980s. One of their most popular songs was “Highway Song” in the early 1980s.

Another band which will be coming back is the Ben Miller Band.

“We will also have a band that has been called one of the best biker bands in the country, Curtis Moore Band, from Oklahoma,” Scott said. “We will have more local bands.”

Kathy noted that each year, the organizers bring in new events.

“This year, we have an exciting thing called ‘Wall of Death. It is a motorcycle thrill show.
Two motorcyclists will ride their bikes in the inside of silo-type structure and it really is pretty fascinating,” Kathy said. “That will happen throughout the weekend and people can watch it as many times as they want to.”

After the Molly Hatchet concert on Saturday, a fireworks display will occur.

Another event will be helicopter rides, but for an additional fee.

“The helicopter ride will tour the grounds and parts of Newton and Jasper counties from the air,” added Kathy.

Back by popular demand, a poker run will be held Saturday.

“The poker run will begin at the Rally Park to Bordertown Bingo to New-Mac to Undercliff Restaurant to Joplin Powersports and back to the Rally Park,” said Kathy. “It is about a 50-mile run.”

Last year’s vendor lineup included leather and clothing items, chrome and accessories, paint and powder coatings, builders and component providers, patches, trailers and other merchandise and biker magazines. Food vendors will be on site, as well as beer for $3 a cup for those 21 or older.

Returning for the fourth straight year will be the “Wide Open” magazine, based here in Missouri.

Gates for the event officially open at noon Friday. On Sunday at 9 a.m., a blessing of the bikes will be performed. Bike games will begin at 10:30 a.m.

When it all boils down to it, the organizers and volunteers host the event for one reason: to help children.

“We all love doing it. It is a lot of work, a lot of time, but as long as we can continue to do it and do it each year that we believe that it is better than the year before, and continue to increase the donation to CMN, we are still going to do it,” said Kathy. “We bought several pieces of equipment last year for ambulance, rural (districts), pediatric medical equipment. We also spend the money to help families making trips weekly for chemotherapy to Kansas City or out of town. Or families to the local hospitals, wherever they live.”

Neosho Daily News

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